Land acquisition should begin in a matter of weeks for an extension of Stanford Avenue that would create a new traffic link between east and west Springfield.

Construction of the two-thirds of a mile extension between Fox Bridge Road and Taylor Avenue is expected to begin in early 2015 and take two years. Federal funds will pay $2.9 million of the estimated $5.2 million cost, with the city covering $2.3 million, according to figures released by a local transportation planning committee.

Work includes a three-lane road, sidewalks and a bike path along the north side of the road that would connect to the Lost Bridge Trail recreation path between Springfield and Rochester.

“We’re in design and engineering. Then we’ll be moving into land acquisition in the next month or two,” city engineer Nate Bottom said after a Thursday meeting of the Springfield Area Transportation Study committee.

The committee of local transportation and community planners helps to set priorities for road construction projects.

Extension of Stanford Avenue would complete an east-west corridor between Dirksen Parkway and Veterans Parkway.

“It’s going to open that all up,” said Bottom, noting that eight acres of mostly wooded land would be needed for the extension.

Stanford Avenue moved to the top of a local transportation priority list in the last few years, said senior planner Linda Wheeland of the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission. She said federal funding is allotted based on a scoring system that takes into account community significance, congestion, safety, and whether a project accommodates vehicle, bike and pedestrian traffic.

Richard and Cindy Pottier have tracked the Stanford Avenue project for a decade at KnR Awards, an awards and trophies shop at 808 E. Stanford Ave.

The couple said city officials contacted them about a year ago regarding the possibility a right of way would be needed for long-term plans to widen the existing Stanford Avenue from Fox Bridge Road to Sixth Street. But they said they have heard little since.

Richard Pottier said improvements are needed — especially widening the existing avenue — as commercial development continues in that area of the city.

“If you look at the traffic out here, it gets pretty crazy,” Pottier said. “When they open this up, you’re going to see more traffic.”

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Stanford Avenue extension

* Two-thirds of a mile between Fox Bridge Road and Taylor Avenue.

* Estimated cost $5.2 million; includes $2.9 million federal and $2.3 million city.